Petteri Nummelin tried to get to Russia in the middle of the Lugano race to make money. Did not work out.
Petteri Nummelin played a total of 13 seasons in Switzerland. In the World Cup tournament, which starts on Friday, the native of Turku is part of the coaching team of the Latvian national team. TIMO KUNNARI
Defender Petteri Nummelin played his first matches at the men’s level in the Kiekko-67 team as a first baseman in the 1990–91 season. He played his last games in the 2018–19 season at Paimio Kiekkoseura in the second division.
The path can accommodate a huge number of games. Among other things, two NHL trips, numerous seasons in Switzerland and Sweden, and 15 World Cup tournaments played.
Nummelin never played in Russia and the KHL. Although it was close.
– When I came back to Europe from Minnesota for the 2008-09 season, there would have been a chance to leave. I got a good offer from St. Petersburg, but I already had a 3+2-year contract with Lugano.
– I asked Lugano if you would let me go to St. Petersburg, Russia for one season? I will come back in a year and play with you at half price, 50-year-old Nummelin says of his promise.
Lugano’s owner Geo Mantegazza did not let the Finnish fan favorite into the KHL.
– However, I received compensation. Mantegazza changed my 3+2-year contract directly into a five-year contract, says Nummelin.
In 2019, Mantegazza’s assets were estimated at two and a half billion euros.
Would the salary in St. Petersburg have been better than in Switzerland at that time?
– Quite a lot.
60 faces for the board
Petteri Nummel in Lugano’s shirt in the 2010–11 season. PDO
When the TPS student stayed in Lugano for the 2008–09 season, he scored 21 goals and a whopping 60 power points for the club. And the man played out his five-year contract.
The native of Turku played a total of 13 seasons in Switzerland. Ten of them in Lugano with two different visits.
The second-generation hockey player also played three seasons in Davos.